1. No bellwork! Answer these questions in your notes!
The Japanese Path to War (pages )
Why did the Japanese expand into Manchuria?
How did Japanese actions show the failure of the League of Nations?
Describe the changes in the Japanese government made in the 1930’s.
How did China (nationalists & communists) respond to Japanese aggression?
List two of Japan’s plans for a “new Asian order.”
Why were there tensions between Japan and the U.S.? How would these tensions contribute to Japan’s attack on the U.S.? Explain!

2. WWII IN the pacific
The rise of militarism in Japan & U.S. entrance into WWII

3. BACKGROUND
Post-WWI: Japan won territories in the Pacific; became strong economic & military power
Believed it was their destiny to be leader of Asia & unite Asian territories under their rule
Felt Western powers treated them unequally
When the Great Depression hit, Japan’s economy collapsed:
Government ineffective
Extreme nationalism = radical shift
Military gained support
Desired expansion to gain more resources

4. Japan desired equality with the West
Naval Strength
Country
Capital ships
Carriers
Britain
525,000 tons
135,000 tons
U.S.
Japan
315,000 tons
81,000 tons

5. Why did the Japanese expand into Manchuria?

6. How did Japanese actions show the failure of the League of Nations?
Condemned actions  Japan left League
League could not prevent Japanese aggression

7. Describe the changes in the Japanese government made in the 1930’s
Military held the upper hand….
Decided foreign policy
Refused to listen to government orders
Assassinated political leaders
Public support
This shift towards militarism was finalized when Tojo Hideki (military general) became leader
Continued expansion in China

8. What was going on in China???
China was in the middle of a Civil War (nationalists vs. communists) which made it difficult to respond.

9. Led Nationalist Party: Kuomintang (KMT)
Important People
Chiang Kai-Shek
Led Nationalist Party: Kuomintang (KMT)
Supported by US

10. Important People Mao Zedong Led Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Supported by USSR and peasants (Spread revolution!)

11. As Chiang and Mao battled each other in 1931, the Japanese conquered Manchuria

12. Rape of Nanjing
December 1937: six-week period following the Japanese capture of the city of Nanjing (former capital)
250,000 to 300,000 deaths

13. How did China (nationalists & communists) respond to Japanese aggression?
Stopped the Civil War  formed the United Front  Declared war on Japan
Japan plans a “new Asian order” – List two of these plans!
Continued expansion to gain resources
Cooperate with Germany and Italy

15. Why were there tensions between Japan and the U. S
Why were there tensions between Japan and the U.S.? How would these tensions contribute to Japan’s attack on the U.S.? Explain!
Japanese expansion is a direct threat to the U.S. & Allies imposed sanctions
U.S. seized Japanese assets & stopped the trade of oil, iron & steel
Problem? Japan needed these resources for their military & expansion
Solution? Attack the U.S. to stop them from interfering with Japanese plans.

16. Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a naval base in Hawaii.
2,400 Americans were dead,1,200 were wounded, and 200 warships were destroyed.

19. December 8, 1941: U.S. declares war on Japan
December 11: Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.